In 2009 we were asked to do a restoration report on the repairs needed to bring these historical wrought and cast iron gates and railings back to their forma glory. Following our report and a competitive tender process we started on the restoration of in April 2011. Castings were missing and broken, elements needed cautious repair with great care and precision and the paint needed to be removed and redone. Most of the work was carried out on site in either the blistering hot days in April and May or the dreary days in June!
The Golden Gates - History
These gates were erected in 1819 at the south end of the formal gardens. They were brought from the Palace of Versailles by Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington. Elvaston Castle was substantially re-built in the early 19th century by Charles Stanhope it had previously been a manor house that had been home to the Stanhope family for more than 200 years.
A Massive landscaping project took place from 1830 under the direction of William Barron as a tribute to the 4th Earl’s wife Maria Foote. Elvaston Castle remained a private home until 1851, when the 5th Earl, Leicester Stanhope, opened the gardens to the public, charging an entrance fee. It wasn’t until the late 1930s that William Stanhope, the 11th Earl, left Elvaston for the final time.
The gates are Grade II listed and are very well recorded as ‘a very large pair of gates to centre with railings to either side ending in large square piers, the gates have the rails grouped in bunches of three and the central rail of each is topped by a large arrow head finial. Each gate has two decorative scrolled wrought iron panels’.
To read the full listing details click here
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-83015-golden-gates-and-attached-walls-at-elvast